Gazprom signs roadmap for cooperation with Kazakhstan in gas sector

MOSCOW. Jan 18 (Interfax) - Gazprom has signed a roadmap with Kazakhstan on cooperation in the gas sector, the press service for the Russian gas giant said.

The roadmap was signed at a meeting between Gazprom CEO Alexei Millers and Kazakh First Deputy Prime Minister Roman Sklyar.

"The parties discussed the progress of and prospects for cooperation. Alexei Miller and Roman Sklyar signed a roadmap on cooperation in the gas sector at the meeting," the press service said.

Sklyar met with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak last week.

"Roman Sklyar confirmed Kazakhstan's readiness to further develop cooperation with the Russian Federation in all spheres of the energy sector. He emphasized Kazakhstan's interest in cooperating with the Russian Federation to modernize Kazakhstan's gas transmission system, gasify the northern and eastern regions of the country, and transport larger amounts of Russian energy resources to third countries," the Russian government press service said following the meeting.

The leadership of Russia, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan are discussing the possibility of boosting Russian gas supplies to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in light of growth in domestic consumption and export obligations to China. This may require modernization of gas transmission infrastructure or even construction of new pipelines. It will be necessary to invest about 260 billion rubles in the development of gas transmission infrastructure in Russia.